Life is about more than staying home. Getting out, connecting with others, trying new things, and being part of your community — these are the things that make life rich. For NDIS participants, community participation funding exists to make exactly that possible. This guide explains what community participation covers, the kinds of opportunities available, how the funding works, and how to make the most of it.
- Community participation is about connection — getting out, joining in, and building relationships and skills.
- It funds the support, not the activity — support worker time and transport, not the concert ticket or class fee.
- It sits in two budgets — Core (to attend activities) and Capacity Building (to build skills).
- The options are huge — from social clubs and sport to arts, volunteering and classes.
What is community participation?
Community participation (sometimes called community access) is about supporting people with disability to take part in social, recreational and community life. It might mean joining a social club, attending a class, playing sport, volunteering, or simply getting out and about with the support you need to do it safely and confidently.
The goal isn’t just the activity itself — it’s what the activity brings: connection, confidence, friendship, new skills, and a genuine sense of belonging. For many participants, it’s one of the most valued parts of their NDIS plan.
Community participation funding pays for the support that makes participation possible — a support worker’s time, and transport to and from the activity. It generally doesn’t pay for the activity itself, like a concert ticket, gym membership, or course fees. Those are everyday costs you’d pay anyway; the NDIS funds the disability-related support around them.
The kinds of opportunities available
The range of community participation activities is huge — it’s really only limited by your interests and goals. Common examples include:
Social & recreational
Social clubs, community groups, café catch-ups, movies, concerts, and getting out to local events.
Sport & active
Adaptive sports, swimming, gym sessions, walking groups — movement and connection combined.
Creative & learning
Art and music classes, workshops, hobby groups, and courses to explore new interests.
Contributing & connecting
Volunteering, community projects, and activities that build purpose and a sense of belonging.
Activities can be one-on-one (a support worker with you) or group-based (in a centre or out in the community) — each has its own benefits, which we’ll come to.
The two funding categories explained
Here’s where a bit of clarity really helps. Community participation is funded across two different parts of your NDIS plan:
| Core: Assistance with Social & Community Participation | Capacity Building: Increased Social & Community Participation | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Support to attend and take part in activities now | Building skills to participate more independently in future |
| Example | A support worker helps you attend a weekly social club | A social skills or community access course to build confidence |
| Flexibility | Flexible within your Core budget | Stated funding — used for its specific purpose |
In short: Core helps you take part now; Capacity Building helps you build the skills to take part more independently over time. Many people have both.
One-on-one vs group activities
One-on-one support
A support worker dedicated to you — ideal for personalised goals, higher support needs, or building confidence before joining groups.
Group activities
Support shared across a small group — the per-person cost is lower (stretching your budget further), and there’s the added benefit of meeting others.
Group settings, like centre-based activities, are a great way to make friends and build social skills while making your funding go further. Many people mix both — group activities for connection, one-on-one for personalised goals.
Ready to get out and connect?
Our Adelaide team provides friendly, person-centred community participation support — helping you join in, try new things, and build the connections that matter to you.
The benefits of community participation
Beyond the activities themselves, community participation delivers real, lasting benefits:
- Connection and friendship — reducing isolation and building a social network.
- Confidence and independence — developing skills to navigate the community more freely.
- Wellbeing — the mental and physical health benefits of being active and engaged.
- Purpose and belonging — feeling like a valued part of your community.
- New skills and interests — discovering passions and abilities you might not have known you had.
How to get community participation into your plan
To have this funding in your plan, you’ll need goals that relate to social and community involvement. A few tips:
Set clear goals
For example: “I want to make new friends” or “I want to build confidence to attend activities independently.”
Link activities to goals
Show how the support helps you achieve those goals — that’s what makes funding reasonable and necessary.
Think about the future
For Capacity Building, focus on skills that will help you participate more independently over time.
Get support to plan
A support coordinator or your planner can help you request the right funding at your plan meeting.
Community and social participation budgets are among the areas being adjusted through the “Securing the NDIS” reforms, with changes rolling out from late 2026. It’s worth confirming the current arrangements with the NDIS or your provider, as details continue to develop.
Humanity Care provides warm, person-centred community participation support across Adelaide. We take the time to understand what you enjoy and what you’re working towards — then support you to get out, join in, and connect, at your own pace.
Frequently asked questions about community participation
What does NDIS community participation funding cover?
It covers the support that makes participation possible — a support worker’s time and transport to and from activities. It generally doesn’t cover the cost of the activity itself, like concert tickets, gym memberships or course fees. The focus is on the disability-related support you need to take part.
What activities can I do with community participation funding?
A huge range — social clubs, adaptive sports, swimming, gym, art and music classes, workshops, hobby groups, volunteering, community events and outings. It’s really only limited by your interests and goals, as long as the support is reasonable and necessary and linked to your plan.
Which part of my plan funds community participation?
Two parts. Core Supports (Assistance with Social & Community Participation) funds the support to attend activities now. Capacity Building (Increased Social & Community Participation) funds skill-building to participate more independently in future. Many participants have both, used for different purposes.
Are group activities cheaper than one-on-one?
Yes, per person. In a group, the support worker’s cost is shared among participants, so the per-person rate is lower than one-on-one support — which stretches your budget further. Groups also offer the social benefit of meeting others. Many people use a mix of group and one-on-one support.
Can the NDIS pay for my gym membership or class fees?
Generally no — memberships, entry fees and course fees are everyday costs you’d pay regardless of disability. However, the NDIS can fund a support worker to assist you at the gym or class, and transport to get there, if it’s linked to your goals and you need support to participate safely.
Does Humanity Care provide community participation support in Adelaide?
Yes. Humanity Care provides person-centred community participation support across Adelaide — both one-on-one and group activities. We help you get out, join in, and build connections around the things you enjoy. Get in touch for a no-obligation chat.
A fuller, more connected life
Community participation is about far more than filling time — it’s about connection, confidence, and being a genuine part of your community. With the right support, the opportunities are wide open: friendships to make, skills to build, and experiences to enjoy.
If you’d like to explore community participation in Adelaide, our friendly local team is here to help you find the activities and support that are right for you.
Get out and connect in Adelaide
Talk to our local team about community participation support built around what you enjoy — with no obligation.
